Mousetrap Vehicle C

bwy
Exalted Member
Exalted Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:52 pm
Division: C
State: CA
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by bwy »

What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
starpug
Admin Emeritus
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 932
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:51 pm
Division: Grad
State: ME
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by starpug »

bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
I do believe that the axle to wheel ratio and arm length to axle ratio both allow you to increase distance or speed at the cost of the other, so the key is to get the exact right amount of each out of the mousetraps.
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
bwy
Exalted Member
Exalted Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:52 pm
Division: C
State: CA
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by bwy »

starpug wrote:
bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
I do believe that the axle to wheel ratio and arm length to axle ratio both allow you to increase distance or speed at the cost of the other, so the key is to get the exact right amount of each out of the mousetraps.
Yup. I'm wondering how(what to use) to thicken my axles, since it seems to help more for speed than shortening my arm bar.
starpug
Admin Emeritus
Admin Emeritus
Posts: 932
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 6:51 pm
Division: Grad
State: ME
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by starpug »

bwy wrote:
starpug wrote:
bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
I do believe that the axle to wheel ratio and arm length to axle ratio both allow you to increase distance or speed at the cost of the other, so the key is to get the exact right amount of each out of the mousetraps.
Yup. I'm wondering how(what to use) to thicken my axles, since it seems to help more for speed than shortening my arm bar.
I was answering your second question, I really don't know about the first one.
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
User avatar
illusionist
Member
Member
Posts: 942
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:13 pm
Division: C
State: MI
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by illusionist »

I use electrical tape, works great. What are the disadvantages that you seem to be experriencing?
bwy
Exalted Member
Exalted Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:52 pm
Division: C
State: CA
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by bwy »

illusionist wrote:I use electrical tape, works great. What are the disadvantages that you seem to be experriencing?
Well, the tape compresses after a few winds.
The pencil grips are too inflexible (I can't get the exact thickness I need)
Covering the center part of my axle with Velcro makes it hard to find a place to attach my string to...
I haven't tried electrical tape, though (just masking and scotch tape). I'll give that a try.
User avatar
illusionist
Member
Member
Posts: 942
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:13 pm
Division: C
State: MI
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by illusionist »

It does compress, but it certainly does not make a big impact on your vehicle. I have been using the same tape for a couple months now, and it's fine.
jarrred_1415
Member
Member
Posts: 34
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:28 pm
Division: Grad
State: OH
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by jarrred_1415 »

bwy wrote:What are you guys using to wrap your axles in to make them thicker, if you are doing so? (If not, does shortening the lever bar have the same effect?)
I've tried tape, velcro, and pencil grips but none of them is reliable and without its disadvantages...
i suggest that you take your axel to your local hardware store and trying several things to see which will fit over it tightly

i found that nylon spacers worked really well but i think you could use rubber also
User avatar
Draylon Fogg
Member
Member
Posts: 150
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:03 pm
Division: C
State: KS
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by Draylon Fogg »

ive seen people use wooden weels to increase circumference
It's always tea time somewhere in the world...... Come to think of it... It's my tea time... :D
Events I participate:
chem lab
forensics
forestry
helicopter
sounds of music
remote sensing
water quality
User avatar
mrsteven
Exalted Member
Exalted Member
Posts: 815
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:40 pm
Division: C
State: IL
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 0

Re: Mousetrap Vehicle C

Post by mrsteven »

Here's my question: why aren't you able to find thicker axels that you don't NEED to make them thicker? Our local hobby shop has a varity of thick/ thin materials to make axels from.be creative
2011 Helicopters State Runner-up
2012 Helicopters State Champion
2013 Robot Arm State Champion

Return to “2011 Build Events”